Alberta Playwrights' Network

Alberta Playwrights' Network Developing playwrights at all stages, for all stages since 1985. At APN we believe that EVERY STORY DESERVES AN AUDIENCE AND EVERY VOICE DESERVES TO BE HEARD!

APN is thrilled to announce the nominees for the 2026 Alberta Playwriting Competition!Now in its 61st year, the APC reco...
05/29/2026

APN is thrilled to announce the nominees for the 2026 Alberta Playwriting Competition!

Now in its 61st year, the APC recognizes the most outstanding un-produced Alberta play with The Sharon Po***ck Award ($5000 Cash Prize). This competition is open to all playwrights who reside in Alberta, whether they are members of the Alberta Playwrights' Network or not.

Past winners include: Ken Cameron, Michele Vance Hehir, Ellen Close, Braden Griffiths, Natalie Meisner, Meg Braem, Collin Doyle, Liam Monaghan, Jessy Ardern, and Hayley Moorhouse, and more!

The winner will be announced and the prize awarded at the annual Alberta Literary Awards Gala, presented by the Writers’ Guild of Alberta on June 5, 2026 at Wyndham Hotel and Conference Centre (4440 Gateway Blvd) in Edmonton. Doors for the event open at 6:00 PM MT; Dinner at 7:00 PM MT.

The nominees for the 2026 Alberta Playwriting Competition are:

"Cyrano De Bergerac" by Jessy Ardern
The jurors found it “structurally well-crafted, articulate, and emotionally fulfilling”

"Willows" by Elena Belyea
The jurors called it “a quiet beauty, slick juggling of plotlines, coming of age mystery”

"Pieces" by Jezec Sanders
The jurors called it “carefully constructed, surprising, it makes you FEEL”

"Everyone Is Doing Fine" by James Odin Wade
The jurors called it “current, clever, emotionally and morally murky”

"Work" by Calla Wright
The jurors called it “fascinating, in your face, a wild ride with strong structure”

The Alberta Playwriting Competition is co-presented with Theatre Alberta

2026 APN Emerging Playwright Mentorship Program Participants AnnouncedIn partnership with Hit & Myth ProductionsAPN is t...
05/05/2026

2026 APN Emerging Playwright Mentorship Program Participants Announced

In partnership with Hit & Myth Productions

APN is thrilled to announce the participants for the 2026 APN Emerging Playwright Mentorship program!

Thanks to a new partnership with Hit & Myth Productions in Calgary, APN will be able to support 10 emerging playwrights from across the province through this high-impact six month mentorship program.

Joel Cochrane, Artistic Producer of Hit&Myth had this to say about the new program partnership, “HIt & Myth has always been committed to supporting Alberta artists. We are thrilled to be partnering with Alberta Playwrights’ Network to support 10 emerging artists, enabling them to work with established theatre creators. The mentoring program is a vital part of the Alberta theatre community, and we are excited to be a part of this for 2026.”

“Mentorship has been an instrumental part of my own development as a playwright over the years, so it’s an honour to facilitate the longstanding tradition of artists coming together in conversation,” says APN’s new executive director, Louise Casemore, who will participate in the program as one of this year’s mentors. “I’m floored by the enthusiastic response from our esteemed mentors, and the thrilling lineup of plays proposed by the participants. Thanks to some targeted outreach for this year, we have a tremendous cross section of ages, experience-levels, style, and location within the cohort, and several new mentors in the program. Amazing things ahead from these folks!”

The 2026 APN Emerging Playwright Mentorship Program Participants are:

- PAMELA SCHMUNK, partnered with mentor BETH GRAHAM
- BRETT LEMAY, partnered with mentor CLEM MARTINI
- GRACE FITZGERALD, partnered with mentor JASON CHINN
- TESSA SIMPSON, partnered with mentor LOUISE CASEMORE
- WENDY FROBERG, partnered with mentor NATALIE MEISNER
- TJ JABLONSKI, partnered with mentor COLLIN DOYLE
- SHELDON BARANEC, partnered with mentor CONNI MASSING
- KATHLEEN RENNE, partnered with mentor VANESSA PORTEOUS
- SAMSON NAND, partnered with mentor KENNETH T. WILLIAMS
- ACHILLES FRIESEN, partnered with mentor GEOFFREY SIMON BROWN

Find out more about this year’s participants on our website at: https://www.albertaplaywrights.com/

You’re Invited!Alberta Playwrights’ Network Annual General MeetingMonday, May 25th, 7pmOnline through ZoomOn behalf of t...
05/05/2026

You’re Invited!
Alberta Playwrights’ Network Annual General Meeting
Monday, May 25th, 7pm
Online through Zoom

On behalf of the Shae Christie, APN Board Secretary -

Alberta Playwrights’ Network cordially invites all members in good standing to attend the 2026 Annual General Meeting, taking place on Zoom on May 25th at 7pm. We will be presenting the 2025 financial statements as well as reporting from the Board President, Treasurer, and Executive Director. We will also be electing a slate of Board members.

In advance of the AGM, we are looking for new and energetic Board members to join us and support the work that we do. We are enthusiastically seeking Board members from Edmonton, northern Alberta, and communities outside of Calgary, with interest in fundraising, non-profits, or Board governance.

For more information, to submit interest in the Board, or to request access to the meeting, please contact:

Louise Casemore, Executive Director – [email protected]

A Toast to Trevor! April 26th in CalgaryWe’re throwing a party, and you’re invited!After 19 incredible years of service,...
04/14/2026

A Toast to Trevor! April 26th in Calgary

We’re throwing a party, and you’re invited!

After 19 incredible years of service, join us as we at APN say goodbye and wish outgoing Executive Director Trevor Rueger the very best on his next adventure.

Come by for a chance to wish him well, exchange stories, and share some laughs on Sunday, April 26th at the Cat and Fiddle Pub in Calgary from 1pm to 5pm. The Pub is located at 540 16 Ave. NW, with a full menu of food and drink and plenty of parking available in the back.

Join us as we raise a glass to say THANK YOU to Trevor for his incredible work leading APN.

Can’t make it for the party but still want to get in on the fun? Pass along your well wishes for Trevor by emailing Managing Director Jenn Taylor at [email protected] with the subject line “Message for Trevor”, and we’ll get them passed along as part of the event.

We hope to see you there!

APN CHARITY CASINO - Volunteers Needed!Location: Elbow River CasinoAddress: 218 18 Ave SWDates: June 6 & 7, 2026Benefits...
04/08/2026

APN CHARITY CASINO - Volunteers Needed!

Location: Elbow River Casino
Address: 218 18 Ave SW
Dates: June 6 & 7, 2026
Benefits: Free meal and all the snacks and drinks you can consume!

Alberta has a unique charitable gaming model. It is the only province in Canada where charitable organizations are licensed to conduct and manage casino events, and we need your help!

Every year, Alberta Playwrights’ Network is issued a charitable gaming license, which enables us access to valuable funding for our organization’s day-to-day operations.

Come and help us by volunteering for our biggest fundraiser of the year. By donating your time you can assist in raising $60,000 for APN in support of our programming and operations. It's easy - all training is provided on the day!

Volunteer for our 2026 Alberta Playwrights' Network fundraising casino! Elbow River Casino Address: 218 - 18th Avenue SE Dates: June 6 & 7, 2026 You get a free meal and all the snacks and coffee you can eat and drink. Come and help us by volunteering for our biggest fundraiser of the year. By donati...

NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ALBERTA PLAYWRIGHTS’ NETWORK - LOUISE CASEMOREAfter an exhaustive search, the board of Alberta...
04/08/2026

NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ALBERTA PLAYWRIGHTS’ NETWORK - LOUISE CASEMORE

After an exhaustive search, the board of Alberta Playwrights’ Network is delighted to announce the appointment of Louise Casemore as our new Executive Director. Since mid-March, she has been working with outgoing ED Trevor Rueger, transitioning into the position.


“On behalf of the APN board, it's my privilege to announce that Louise Casemore is our new Executive Director. Louise is based in Edmonton and comes to us with a wealth of experience and passion for the arts. She is an award-winning playwright, dramaturg, and arts leader with a dedicated interest in new play development, community building, and sector transformation. We are very excited to work with Louise and want to welcome her to the Alberta Playwright's Network team.”
- Tereasa Maillie
President, APN

As an artist who has been living and creating in Alberta my whole life, it’s an honour to be stepping into service as the new Executive Director for Alberta Playwrights’ Network. Playwrights are my people, and supporting the growth and creativity of artists in this region is my passion. Standing on the shoulders of the tremendous work carried out by Trevor for the past 19 years, I’m tremendously grateful to dive into this exciting next chapter for the organization."
- Louise Casemore, MFA (she/her)
Incoming Executive Director, Alberta Playwrights' Network

“Whenever you step away from something you’ve committed to for a long time, you are always trepidatious about what is going to happen next. When the board informed me that they had selected Louise as the next ED, all that trepidation disappeared. Louise will be an incredible asset to the creative community of Alberta. Her passion for the craft, her insight and intelligence, and her administrative brilliance are going to set APN up for the next 40 years. I couldn’t be more excited for the next chapter of APN under the leadership and guidance of Louise.”
- Trevor Rueger
Executive Director (Emeritus)


Welcome Aboard, Louise. We wish you nothing but the best!

Alberta Playwrights’ Network and Workshop West Playwrights' Theatre present EDMONten, a showcase of 10-Minute plays, pre...
01/19/2026

Alberta Playwrights’ Network and Workshop West Playwrights' Theatre present EDMONten, a showcase of 10-Minute plays, presented at the Springboards Festival.

Playwrights of all ages and at all stages of their career are encouraged to submit.

Submit up to two original, unproduced, 10-minute plays by Friday, February 13, 2026, for your chance to win $250!

Visit https://albertaplaywrights.squarespace.com/edmonten for more information on how to apply.

Alberta Playwrights’ Network and Hit & Myth Productions present the APN Emerging Artist Playwright Mentorship Program.Em...
01/19/2026

Alberta Playwrights’ Network and Hit & Myth Productions present the APN Emerging Artist Playwright Mentorship Program.

Emerging playwrights are paired with an experienced playwriting mentor to support the development of their chosen project.

Apply by Friday, February 13, 2026, for your chance to fill one of ten (10) spots!

Visit https://albertaplaywrights.squarespace.com/emerging-artist-mentorship for more information on how to apply.

We’d like to share with our membership and supporters that our APN Executive Director Trevor Rueger is moving on to othe...
11/25/2025

We’d like to share with our membership and supporters that our APN Executive Director Trevor Rueger is moving on to other adventures and will be leaving his position in January 2026. After 19 years of leading APN, he is excited to be opening up a new chapter in his professional life. He will stay on to ease the transition for a new Executive Director and remains one of the many incredible members of this organization.

On behalf of the Board and myself, we are grateful and honoured to have worked with Trevor on the programs and services that APN offers to Alberta’s playwrights. His thoughtful approach, his kindness to all who encountered him, has been inspirational. Many of us playwrights would not be where we are without Trevor’s guidance and abilities as a dramaturge but also as a coach and mentor. I personally have benefited from his advocacy for my work and cannot begin to thank him. All these great attributes, however, were always tempered by his incredible good humour and a lot of jokes that kept me laughing. I and the Board are excited and supportive of Trevor’s next move and can’t wait to see what is in store for him next.

We will be posting the position on December 1 as we begin our search for our next great leader.

With thanks,
Tereasa Maillie
President, APN
———
A message from Trevor.

Stepping Down

As we celebrated APN’s 40th Anniversary this year, I found that I became quite reflective. It has been my great honour to have been the Executive Director of this great organization since 2007. I had no idea that what started out as a short-term contract to help APN get through the 2006 PlayWorks INK Festival would turn into a 19-year tenure here.

I have enjoyed every moment (even the challenging ones), every board meeting (even the challenging ones), and every interaction I’ve had with playwrights (even the challenging ones). I feel blessed that artists from across the province have entrusted APN and myself in the development of their work and their artistry. I feel proud that I have been trusted by the playwriting and theatre community to manage and direct this vital organization.

I’m not riding off into the sunset, never to be heard from again. I expect to remain a part of the organization, albeit a much smaller part. I will be assisting in the transition to the new leadership, which is what the organization needs.

I had never imagined that this job would be the one that I would spend the bulk of my career at and now I can’t imagine my life without it. But it is time for a fresh outlook, new ideas, and a renewed passion to drive this organization for the next 40 years and I look forward to passing the baton to new leadership and assisting them any way that I can.

I thank everyone who paved the way for me, answered my calls, picked me up, and pushed me on.

Cheers,
Trevor
———
From APN member (and previous board member) Linda Wood Edwards.

Dear Trevor:
It has come to my attention that you are moving on from Alberta Playwrights’ Network. Obviously, I wish you the best! I also want to make sure you know how important you (as well as APN) have been to me over the years. I am grateful that you’ve always been at the end of the phone, email, etc. when I’ve been at the end of my rope with a script. Your feedback was always thoughtful, generous, and trusted. I will miss it, along with the security blanket I assumed would always be there.

Apart from the support I received as a playwright, I thoroughly enjoyed working with you when I was on the APN Board. You are one of those people who really “got” boards and you managed your life as an executive director deftly and kindly, when board members didn’t always arrive with the same knowledge. You encouraged innovation and the result was many successes for APN. I believe you have stewarded the organization well in your tenure and I am proud to be a long-time member.
———
From past President Neil Fleming:

What to say about Trevor Rueger? He is a whip-smart and clever collaborator, a dramaturg and/or dramaturge worth having in your back pocket. A must have for punching up any comedic script. Trevor is a perplexingly good drummer and a deceptively adequate golfer. I really like the way he addresses the ball at the tee box. He is confident and comfortable in his stance, he keeps his legs quite straight and his back with just the slightest tilt. A gentleman’s stance - not like some bent-kneed hockey goon winding up for a slap-shot. Trevor has a dignified swing. Straight and true. Like his dramaturgical advice. I owe Trevor a lot for making me look like a better writer than I was at the time, and a better person now.

We had a great celebration in Calgary on Sept. 13. Edmonton - we're coming to you on September 27 to celebrate APN's 40t...
09/16/2025

We had a great celebration in Calgary on Sept. 13.

Edmonton - we're coming to you on September 27 to celebrate APN's 40th Anniversary. We do hope you will come and join us.

Hazeldean Community League - 9630 66th Avenue
Doors open at 6:30pm
CASH BAR, DANCING, AWARDS, PLAY READINGS, CAKE!!!

For tix email - [email protected] or [email protected]
Pay What You Can (suggested donation of $10/person).

Address

#203 2725 12 Street NE
Calgary, AB
T2E7J2

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